Radio Frequency Identification news and commentary.

June 25, 2007

How to Build Your Own RFID Door Lock

A person's home is his castle. While most of us can't equip our castles with
the traditional means of security like moats, turrets, and iron
maidens, you still can spruce up and secure your place with the use of some
more modern technology. This high-tech option might not be as visually imposing
as an alligator-filled moat, but it still can be an effective means of keeping
out invading hordes. No, I'm not talking about lasers
or anything else quite so complicated (or dangerous, for that matter). What
you need is an RFID door lock.

RFID technology
already is used as a means of security in many different forums, so it isn't
a big leap to bring this technology into home applications. You can set up an
RFID door lock several different ways, but I'll cover the simplest way here.
One big thing to remember is that you absolutely want to set up this system
with a backup, so that you can gain entry if you experience a power outage.
Getting locked out is bad enough, but getting locked out when you had an alternative
method to get in is worse, so plan ahead.

This system for setting up an RFID lock is a standalone method, meaning it
doesn't need to be hooked up to a computer to work. While the idea of having
everything in your house wired to your computer might sound cool, and heck,
might actually be cool too, this is a much more versatile system that will save
you some wiring hassles to connect your computer to the door (unless you want
to keep your computer right by the door, then by all means hook them up.) You
can find instructions on how to hook up that kind of system here.

Materials and Tools

In order to start you're going to need to get your hands on a few basic electronic
components as well as some RFID-specific ones. You will need:

Step 1: Install the Deadbolt and RFID Reader

Once you have your materials handy it's time to start getting your system hooked
up. For simplicity's sake, I'm going to assume that the door you're installing
this lock on already has a deadbolt that you're replacing with the RFID deadbolt.
If it doesn't, I won't go into how to put in a deadbolt, but any deadbolt you
purchase should come complete with detailed instructions on how to install it.
You also can consult the ever-knowledgeable Internet
[Video/Audio]. I'm going to assume that if you're able to build an RFID door
lock that you'll be able install a deadbolt.

Providing you've got the door prepared to put the deadbolt in, you'll need
to get all the parts of it together. You'll replace the old deadbolt by putting
the power deadbolt in its place. Once you've got the deadbolt and faceplate
in the place you want it, you'll need to figure out a good orientation for your
RFID reader. Ideally, you'll want to place it as close to the deadbolt as you
can, as wires will need to run between the RFID reader and the deadbolt. You
can place the reader either on the side or to the bottom of the deadbolt faceplate,
but make sure that your wiring connectors are facing out towards the deadbolt,
or you'll see some ugly wiring hanging out. Don't screw anything down just yet,
as you'll need to lift it up in a minute.

Now you need to make room for the wires to go under the faceplate. Break out
your trusty pliers and use them to bend up the edge of the faceplate just a
tad where the wiring connectors meet it. Place a piece of cloth between the
faceplate and the pliers to avoid scratching up your shiny new faceplate. Check
the wires to make sure they fit under the slight bend.

Step 2: Wire the RFID Reader

Your RFID reader now needs to be wired to the electronic deadbolt. You should
see four pins standing out on the edge of the reader, and those four pins correspond
to 4 different
functions: Common Collector Voltage (VCC), Enable, Serial Out (SOUT), and
Ground (GND). First, tie the Enable pin to the Ground pin by soldering a cable
between them. You'll want to do this on the back of the jumper block
so that the wire connecting the two doesn't muck up your other wires.

Next, you'll need to solder a wire to each of the VCC, SOUT, and GND pins.
Make sure the wires have a little extra length to them, as you don't want to
come up short later. After the wires are soldered, trim the pins back so there
won't be anything to keep your reader from butting up against the faceplate.

Next, you'll run the wires through the deadbolt hole along with the wiring
for the electronic deadbolt. Make sure your reader wires are under the part
of the faceplate you pulled up so they won't crimp. You also want to make sure
the wires are out of the way of the deadbolt mechanism. Then, you can finally
screw the deadbolt and the reader onto the door.

To finish this part of the project, you'll need the cover for your large plastic
project box. Sit the cover over the reader and mark the spot where the wires
exit. Trim the plastic off at this spot, much like you did for the faceplate,
to keep your wires from getting smashed. Then, you can screw this onto your
door as well. Again, make sure this is as close to the faceplate as possible.
You want the wires to be covered as much to protect them from the elements and
from any other sources of damage.

Step 3: Install the Deadbolt Control Box

Now you'll need to connect your deadbolt control box to the keypad. First,
pull your RFID wiring through the hole in the back of the keypad towards the
front. Then you can connect the keypad connector block to the pins provided
(this should be pretty self explanatory, there's only one place these wires
can go). Make sure your wires are clear of all the moving parts and screw the
control box into the door.

If you're using the Powerbolt deadbolt as recommended, it should be easy to
rig up to use RFID. There should be two very clearly marked 'Open' and 'Close'
contacts on the circuit board. You'll want to solder two wires (again, make
sure they're extra long) to the left side of the 'Open' contacts. Now, if you've
done this right, you should be able to test the lock. Insert some batteries
into the deadbolt and touch the ends of the two wires together. This should
cause the system to spring to life and unlock the deadbolt. If it works, give
yourself a little pat on the back. If not, perhaps a little smack on the forehead
would be appropriate.

Now you can put the faceplate back on the system, but make sure you pull the
two 'Open' wires either out through the side or through the notch provided,
it's up to you.

Step 4: Build the BASIC Stamp Carrier Board

Now to the fun part! This is where you'll get to put together all your little
electronic components. This can be a bit confusing as it's the most complicated
step, so make sure you take it slow and step by step to avoid any mistakes.

First, you'll need to solder the 24 pin IC Socket (make sure the notched
side is at the top) and the reed relay to the carrier board.

Add the voltage regulator to the mix.

Solder the input lead on the voltage regulator to the VIN pin on the stamp
(pin 24 on the IC socket) and then ground pin on the regulator to the VSS
pin on the stamp (pin 23 on the IC socket).

Finally, solder some DC capable wires to the VIN and VSS pins on the regulator
(every pin, with the exception of the output pin, on the voltage regulator
should have something attached to it at this point).

To connect this to your RFID reader, solder the VCC lead wire from the reader
to the output pin on the voltage regulator.

Next, solder the SOUT wire to pin 18 on the IC Socket (I/O pin 13 on the
stamp). Then take the remaining wire from the reader, the GRD wire, and attach
it to the GRD pin on the voltage regulator.

Next you'll connect the deadbolt control box to the mix. Solder the 'Open'
switch wires to the two switched pins on the reed relay. It doesn't matter which
you solder where, so take your pick, you can't mess it up (well, I guess you
technically could, but you'd really have to try hard).

Now, you've need power going to the reed relay. Solder one of the coil leads
to pin 14 on the IC socket (I/O pin 0 on the stamp) and the other to pin 4 on
the IC socket (the second VSS pin on the stamp and the GRD). Once these leads
are connected you can solder your protection diode over the leads. This isn't
just for the fun of soldering something else. You must have this part to keep
the electric current from damaging your components when you cut the power to
the relay.

Take the diode and solder the end with the colored band to the coil that is
connected to pin 14. Then solder the side opposite the colored band to the lead
that's connected to GRD. All you need now is to finish up!

Step 5: Finish Up

Only a few more things to do and you'll be done. You'll need to program your
BASIC microprocessor. The easiest way to do this is to buy a microprocessor
that can be hooked up to your computer for easy programming. Then, with the
use of a battery, you can simply download the programming needed from
the web [BS2 file] and make a few minor tweaks. You'll need to input the
number of tags you have authorized to open the door, as well as load in the
IDs for each of those tags to make sure they can open the door.

Once it's programmed you'll need to insert it into the carrier board. Make
sure to line up pin 1 on the microprocessor with pin 1 on the IC socket. Then,
power it up by connecting the 9V power to the DC power leads attached to the
VIN and VSS on your stamp.

Now, before you finish up, give it a test run. Wave an authorized tag over
the reader. It should unlock the deadbolt.

You can now finish up by putting the carrier board in your remaining project
box. Again, you'll need to cut a tiny notch to let the cords through without
getting pinched. Hot glue the carrier board to the project board cover, then
put the lid on and screw it shut. Attach the box to the door using screws or
glue.

Finally, you'll need to find a way to support the power supply. Wire gutters
or even tape can work to run the wires along the door and to the adapter. And
that's it! Simply plug it in and you're finished.

RFID doesn't need to be limited to commercial security
measures, as it can be a great project for your home as well as a spiffy
bit of technology. So, while you may not have had the glory of installing a
castle-grade security measure, you can at least impress your friends with your
soldering skills and your ability to open your door with a wave of a hand.

Free RFID Newsletter

June 19, 2007

How to: Wire Your House with RFID

Despite criticism concerning security
and personal privacy
issues that surround RFID, the technology has become popular and commonplace
in the retail environment. But there's no reason why these new technologies
should be confined to stores and inventory
systems; they can be useful at home as well. RFID can be hooked up to almost
anything electronic around the house, especially devices that usually require
users to carry around keys or use access codes. RFID chips and cards can replace
these conventional items and give your home a more futuristic and unarguably
cooler feel.

So whether you're an RFID
tagged geek or just a tech enthusiast looking for new gadgets, wiring your
home with RFID can be an exciting and beneficial project. Here are a few ways
where RFID can be integrated into your home to make your life easier and more
convenient:

Door Locks: For those sick of carrying around multiple keys
or who frequently leave the keys in the door, an RFID door lock could be a good
option. There are a couple of different ways to set up an RFID door lock, but
the simplest method is to buy a pre-packaged system like the My
Key 2300. This lock comes with 8 RFID keys, auto and manual lock modes,
and a burglar alarm. It can't be picked since there's nothing to pick, and it
comes with an external forced lock feature that keeps it from being opened through
a mail slot or window. The system isn't free from drawbacks, however. It comes
with a hefty price tag ($300) and it isn't recommended that it be exposed to
rain or snow (which might be a difficult objective to achieve for an outside
door).

If you're looking for a cheaper DIY way of hooking up your door with RFID it'll
take some elbow grease and a few small components. There are numerous
ways of going about this chore, depending on your budget and whether or not
you want the system hooked directly to your computer. You'll need a few basic
electronic components like circuit boards, relays, and a project box as well
as an electronic door strike (the same kind that are used to "buzz"
people in). And, if you'd like, an electronic keypad deadbolt can be added as
well. Amal
Graafstra provides detailed instructions for this project in his book, RFID
Toys. I would reproduce the project here, but it's detailed and encompasses
several pages.

Keep in mind that you'll also need a few tools for the job and some delicate
tinkering. The system itself is relatively simple, however, and will allow you
access to your door with the use of a RFID tag or chip and can also be made
fancier since it's hooked up to your PC. You can use the system to set up email
alerts when people come or go, or set up timers to only allow certain doors
to be accessed at pre-scheduled times.

Pet Doors: Pet
doors can be a great way to let dogs and cats in and out without actually
having to open the door for them each time. Yet, these doors aren't without
their drawbacks. If you have a large dog the door can be wide enough for a squirrelly
burglar or other unwanted animals. One way to keep out unwanted visitors is
to put in an RFID access device on your door. There are a couple of ways to
accomplish this. First, you need to consider whether you would like your animal
to have an embedded
chip, like those used to ID lost animals at almost all animals shelters,
or if you'd like to simply have your pet wear a
collar with the RFID device attached. Both have their benefits and drawbacks,
so it's really up to you. After you've considered what your pet will wear, you
also need to consider what kind of door you want to use. There are RFID systems
available that are pre-wired and set up that allow you to simply install the
pet door, no electronics knowledge required.

If you're really into doing it all on your own, you can install an RFID reader
to just about any pet door that has a locking mechanism. However, since the
reader system would have to sit outside the pet door itself, it might not be
the most attractive option if you're worried about aesthetics. You'll also want
to consider the relative range of the RFID system that you're installing, since
some can only have a range of up to 4
inches. The principal for setting up the pet door lock is the same as that
for a larger door lock, except that you'll need to allow the reader, and the
chip for that matter, to be in a place where your pet will be able to access
it easily and not get left out in the cold.

Computer Logon: With security being a big issue these days,
new and innovative ways to secure your data and workstation are always a welcome
addition to your tech repertoire. RFID can actually be a quick and easy way
to lock down your data when you're away from your desk. One of the simplest
ways to implement RFID to your computer is to use a simple USB system like PCProx.
PCProx uses RFID to block access to your computer when you leave the immediate
vicinity. When you return, you simply wave an RFID card over the reader and
you are immediately signed back into your system. To make it more secure, as
cards can and do get lost, users can add a special PIN.

If you want to be a little sneakier about your RFID logon capabilities, you
can fix up a regular keyboard so that an RFID reader is hidden inside. As you
can read here,
you'll need to be a little electronically savvy and also have a steady hand.
All you'll need is the RFID reader and compatible tag, a working keyboard, some
open source software, and you're ready to go. Why would you want your RFID access
to be secret? While the chances are slim, it is possible that someone could
find out your tag ID and duplicate it, gaining access to your computer. If no
one knows you have RFID access installed in the first place they can't take
advantage of your privacy.

Garage Door Opener: With the morning scramble out the door,
it's easy to forget to shut to garage door amidst the chaos. With an RFID system
it's possible for that problem to be a thing of the past, and also to make your
garage more secure by making sure it opens only for you and only you. There
are, of course, places that would be more than happy to install such a
system for you. These, however, can be extremely expensive, especially if
you get all the extra features (many offer services that turn lights, music
and other household things on when you arrive home).

If you can't pay for the convenience of a full installation, you can install
a simpler system on your own. You'll need an RFID reader and tag, a transmitter
and a receiver, and this simple
design for an RFID garage door opener. The system will cause the garage
door to open automatically when your car, which contains the RFID tag, approaches.
The tag isn't embedded in this design, which allows you to move that tag from
car to car if necessary. It can also be modified to automatically shut the door
after a certain period of time or when the car reaches a certain distance from
the house.

Electronic Safe: Some people simply can't remember numbers,
and combinations can be a real challenge. If you're one of these people, or
if you want to add a different element to your safe system, you can modify your
electronic safe so that it opens with both an RFID card or tag and the electronic
keypad that it came with. For those safes with RFID chips embedded, this can
be an additional means to secure the contents in that safe.

The RFID safe is assembled in a similar way to the other RFID locking systems.
An RFID reader is embedded into your safe and installation will vary slightly
depending on the model. You'll also need a USB programmable board. The software
to program it is open source and programming details
can be found on that site. You can also hook up the reader to a small LCD light
to let you know if your tag is being read and that the reader is appropriately
powered.

These are just a few ways that RFID can be used around the house; if you're
creative you can figure out how to hook up many other household items to your
RFID system as well. Be advised that many of these projects do require a certain
degree of skill or knowledge about electronics and circuitry, or at least the
ability to follow directions very carefully. Still, if you have the patience
and the skill you can use these ideas to up your technology coolness factor
significantly by installing some RFID devices around your house.

June 12, 2007

15 Surprising Ways RFID Will Affect Your Life in 2007

If you're an RFID fanatic, you know how RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification) will affect your life this year. In fact, you may dream about how this technology will change the world within the next decade - either in positive or negative ways. But, for those who haven't a clue about RFID proliferation and how these chips and their readers will modify your lifestyle, then the following list might surprise you. In fact, it may help you change your life today and become tech-savvy for 2008.

May 16, 2007

RFID Gazette - Wed May 16, 2007

This is a roundup of recent RFID news and views.

The ROI of RFIDWhile
many small vendors cannot use the volume of RFID tags to make the ROI
(Return on Investment) worthwhile, some companies are finding it. A
trailer dealership near Toronto, Canada is using RFID to manage over a
1,000 trailers in four lots and claims they've had a return on their
investment since the installation last September. [via RFID Journal]

May 15, 2007

RFID Gazette - Tues May 15, 2007

This is a roundup of recent RFID-related news and views.

Tracking Steel
ThyssenKrupp Steel has managed to run a successful test on a thousand tagged steel slabs using EPCUHF
RFID tags. The slabs were shipped from Brazil to Germany and tracked
along that route. As a result, they'll continue the process for 100,000
slabs per year, maybe more, using special SATO FlagTag RFID labels.
[via RFID Journal]

A Japanese RFID Island
Depending on what country you're in, RFID tags are an everyday thing or
their not. In Japan, there's a plan to set up a special tech zone on an
island where RFID tags will be ubiquitous. Not only that, they'll use the zone to monitor elderly patients, the movement of pedestrians, and more.

Passive RFID Tag Market GrowingThe passive RFID tag market is expected to grow to nearly US$500M by 2013, compared to just under $125M in 2006. This information comes courtesy of a Frost & Sullivan report.